Toppman on the Arts

Local arts criticism — from touring Broadway shows to community theater and museum exhibits — from longtime critic Lawrence Toppman

Toppman on the Arts

At the Gantt Center, art that cannot be broken

Sep 22, 2026

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4 min read

At the Gantt Center, art that cannot be broken

Review of three exhibitions that run through January at the Harvey B. Gantt Center, 551 S. Tryon St.

Toppman on the Arts

‘Come From Away’ finds kindness in tragedy

Sep 13, 2026

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3 min read

‘Come From Away’ finds kindness in tragedy

This show runs through Oct. 4 at Theatre Charlotte, 501 Queens Road

Toppman on the Arts

‘Hell’s Kitchen’ brings Manhattan fire to Charlotte

Sep 9, 2026

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3 min read

‘Hell’s Kitchen’ brings Manhattan fire to Charlotte

The Alicia Keys musical runs through Sunday at Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St.

Toppman on the Arts

Charlotte Symphony renews its vows with Kwamé Ryan

Sep 8, 2026

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4 min read

Charlotte Symphony renews its vows with Kwamé Ryan

The music director has extended his contract through 2032

Toppman on the Arts

‘Sovereignty’ confronts history that still haunts

Aug 25, 2026

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3 min read

‘Sovereignty’ confronts history that still haunts

Three Bone Theatre’s play runs through Sept. 6 at The Arts Factory, 1545 W. Trade St.

Toppman on the Arts

Bechtler exhibit peels back expectations

Aug 18, 2026

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4 min read

Bechtler exhibit peels back expectations

'Collection, Reframed: Jiha Moon' runs through Nov. 9 at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, 420 S. Tryon St.

Toppman on the Arts

When ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ rocks, it rolls

Aug 14, 2026

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3 min read

When ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ rocks, it rolls

The musical runs through Aug. 23 at the Cain Center in Cornelius

Toppman on the Arts

Aug 4, 2026

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4 min read

A Brick Master class

The LEGO exhibition runs through Sept. 7 at Discovery Place, 220 W. Sixth St.

Toppman on the Arts

Jul 20, 2026

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3 min read

Run from the sun, toward the laughter

'Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors' runs through Aug. 9 at Booth Playhouse, 130 N. Tryon St.

Toppman on the Arts

Jul 13, 2026

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3 min read

Walking among dinosaurs in Charlotte

'Life Chronicles' runs through Aug. 30 at Blume Studios, 904 Post St.

Toppman on the Arts

Jun 18, 2026

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3 min read

‘Evita’ burns with urgency in Davidson

The Tony-winning musical runs through June 28 in Duke Family Performance Hall on the Davidson College campus

Toppman on the Arts

Jun 8, 2026

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4 min read

A modern griot at the Bechtler

'David McGee: The Griot and the Nightingale' runs through Aug. 23 at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, 420 S. Tryon St.

Toppman on the Arts

May 20, 2026

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3 min read

Sparks fly in 'The Notebook'

The musical runs through Sunday at Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St.

Toppman on the Arts

May 11, 2026

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3 min read

Oedipus in the barrio

Three Bone Theatre's “Oedipus el Rey” runs through May 24 at the Arts Factory, 1545 W. Trade St.

Toppman on the Arts

Shattered expectations at Charlotte Ballet

May 8, 2026

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3 min read

Shattered expectations at Charlotte Ballet

“One Thousand Pieces” runs this weekend only at Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St.

Toppman on the Arts

May 4, 2026

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4 min read

A tipsy twist on science

The next "Science on the Rocks" is on May 15 at Discovery Place, 168 W. Sixth St.

Toppman on the Arts

Apr 30, 2026

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4 min read

Caravaggio goes for Baroque

The “Caravaggio/Revolution" exhibit runs through Oct. 25 at The Mint Museum, 500 S. Tryon St.

Toppman on the Arts

Apr 27, 2026

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3 min read

Ankhs for the memories

‘Horizon of Khufu’ immersive VR experience runs through Aug. 30 at Blume Studios, 904 Post St.

Toppman on the Arts

‘Stereophonic’ finds gold in a drawn-out studio grind

Apr 16, 2026

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3 min read

‘Stereophonic’ finds gold in a drawn-out studio grind

This show runs through April 26 at Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St.

Toppman on the Arts

Apr 13, 2026

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6 min read

When the facts don't matter

'The Lifespan of a Fact' runs through April 26 at Armour Street Theatre in Davidson

Toppman on the Arts

Mar 11, 2026

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7 min read

The suffragists still demand a hearing

'Suffs' runs through Sunday at Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St.

Toppman on the Arts

Mar 3, 2026

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7 min read

Hope travels fast in 'Esperanza Rising'

'Esperanza Rising' runs at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte in ImaginOn, 300 E. Seventh St., through March 15

Toppman on the Arts

Feb 25, 2026

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8 min read

The King of Pop never stood still

'MJ The Musical' runs through March 1 at Belk Theater, 130 N Tryon St.

Toppman on the Arts

Two dances, infinite reach in Charlotte Ballet’s ‘Boundless’

Feb 23, 2026

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8 min read

Two dances, infinite reach in Charlotte Ballet’s ‘Boundless’

Charlotte Ballet's "Winter Works: Boundless" runs through March 21 at McBride-Bonnefoux Center for Dance, 701 N. Tryon St.

Toppman on the Arts

'The Flick' goes off-stage and out of earshot

Feb 16, 2026

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6 min read

'The Flick' goes off-stage and out of earshot

The play runs through Saturday (Feb. 21) at Independent Picture House, 4237 Raleigh St.

Toppman on the Arts

At the Gantt Center, art that cannot be broken

‘Come From Away’ finds kindness in tragedy

‘Hell’s Kitchen’ brings Manhattan fire to Charlotte

Charlotte Symphony renews its vows with Kwamé Ryan

‘Sovereignty’ confronts history that still haunts

Bechtler exhibit peels back expectations

When ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ rocks, it rolls

A Brick Master class

Run from the sun, toward the laughter

Walking among dinosaurs in Charlotte

‘Evita’ burns with urgency in Davidson

A modern griot at the Bechtler

Sparks fly in 'The Notebook'

Oedipus in the barrio

Shattered expectations at Charlotte Ballet

A tipsy twist on science

Caravaggio goes for Baroque

Ankhs for the memories

‘Stereophonic’ finds gold in a drawn-out studio grind

When the facts don't matter

The suffragists still demand a hearing

Hope travels fast in 'Esperanza Rising'

The King of Pop never stood still

Two dances, infinite reach in Charlotte Ballet’s ‘Boundless’

'The Flick' goes off-stage and out of earshot

The Charlotte Ledger